Thanks be to God - seek and you will find

My last blog post was me wrestling with what is the Bible saying about money. Does God really hate for us to have money? To be well fed? What was he saying in Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."

God rewarded my questioning with a sermon that I think may have been written just for me (do you ever have sermons that feel like that? Like God had things align to fit in your life just when you needed it?) about Proverbs and it's dealing with money.

He starts with some basic money how-tos that Solomon gives in his proverbs. Work every day, save, give, don't squander on foolishness, etc. Started out a little disappointing in light of my questions but he brought it around when he talks about the Proverb of Agur (Proverbs 30) as he was watching Solomon become corrupted by his money. He say in Proverbs 30:8b-9 "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

And then the pastor spoke of being content in all situations. By focusing on Jesus we can be content whether we have great abundance or great need. Whatever God gives us, that is enough. As the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Sometimes it's just these little things, like the right sermon an hour after a blog post, that just makes reminds me of the Father's great love. I am thanking him for this gift!